Neill to miss Big Blue

Lucas Neill has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Melbourne Victory, as the Qantas Socceroos skipper recovers from a calf injury.

Lucas Neill has been ruled out of Saturday-s game against Melbourne Victory, as the Qantas Socceroos skipper recovers from a calf injury.

Sydney FC fans will have to wait another week to welcome Neill to his new home ground, after the defender and club decided to keep him on ice as a precautionary measure.

In an exclusive interview with footballaustralia.com.au associate editor Michael Cockerill, Neill said he didn-t want to put his recovery back even further by coming back too soon.

“I trained today, so things are very positive, but with a calf injury we're just going to take it stage by stage. I'm probably at the second last stage, where I need three or four days training to make sure I don't repeat it, and then I'm out for another month.

“So we've gone with the decision to make sure I'm fully fit on Monday, and not take the risk (against Melbourne Victory) this weekend. I'm confident the boys can do it with or without me, so I won't be in the squad this weekend.”

Neill said he hoped to be fit for the Sydney derby the following week but admitted he would be guaranteed a starting berth on reputation alone.

“The way the team's playing I don't just have a right to turn up and be in the team. Depending on how the performance goes this weekend - and everyone's hoping for another win and a clean sheet - that will give Frank Farina a nice selection headache for next week.”